Water filters for espresso machines and coffee makers
Brita water filters for coffee machines
The Brita story begins in 1966, under a pear tree in the family garden in Taunusstein (near Wiesbaden, Hesse), Germany. Heinz Hankammer, a former Pez sweet salesman, happens upon a new water distillation device that considerably simplifies the process used by petrol stations to produce distilled water for car batteries. Spotting an opportunity, he founds his business with an initial product — the AquaDeMat — and names his company after his daughter: Brita. The first filters are assembled by hand by the family in the garden.
In 1969, while on his honeymoon in Tenerife with his wife Monika, Heinz Hankammer has an idea that will change everything: what if tap water could be filtered right at home, when making coffee? A year later, in 1970, Brita launches the world's first household water filter jug — a patented combination of ion-exchange resin and activated carbon. The jug removes chlorine, reduces limescale and traps certain heavy metals (lead, copper) — radically improving the taste of water and coffee.
Since then, Brita has become one of the world leaders in water filtration for consumers — claiming just over 80% of the market in France — with distribution in 69 countries, turnover of 664 million € in 2022, and more than 2 200 employees across Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and China. In 1999, Markus Hankammer — the founder's son — takes over the running of the company. His father, Heinz Hankammer, converts his estate in the Taunus into a luxury hotel before his death. As it celebrates 60 years in 2026, Brita reinvents itself as a brand offering multiple sustainable filtration solutions: jugs, plumbed-in filtration tables, coffee machine cartridges and professional Ho.Re.Ca. taps. At Cafemalin, we stock the range of filters for espresso machines and coffee makers.
What has defined Brita since 1966: 4 pillars of expertise that explain its status as No. 1 worldwide in consumer water filtration.
Brita's signature technology since 1970: a patented combination of ion-exchange resin (reducing limescale and heavy metals) and activated carbon (removing chlorine, chloramines and unpleasant tastes). The result: softer water with no chlorine taste, ideal for making coffee.
A Brita filter installed in the water supply line of an espresso machine or a filter coffee maker drastically reduces limescale deposits — the main cause of premature failure in coffee machines. The result: less frequent descaling needed, longer machine life, and better maintenance of pressure and flow.
Brita is one of the world leaders in consumer water filtration, claiming just over 80% of the market in France. Distributed in 69 countries, with turnover of 664 million € (2022) and more than 2 200 employees. Production sites in Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and China.
Brita remains a German family business: Heinz Hankammer (the founder) runs it until 1999, when he hands over to his son Markus Hankammer (the current CEO). ‘Brita’ is the first name of Heinz Hankammer's daughter — a unique distinction in the B2C industry.
The Brita products most often ordered by our customers — filters and cartridges for espresso machines.
Brita was founded in 1966 in Taunusstein (Hesse, Germany) by Heinz Hankammer. The first product — the AquaDeMat — was a filter for distilled water for car batteries, assembled by hand in the family garden. In 1970, Brita launches the world's first household water filter jug, an invention that would revolutionise consumer water filtration.
The brand celebrates 60 years in 2026 and remains a German family business — Markus Hankammer, the founder's son, is its current CEO.
Three main reasons:
It is a cost-effective investment: a few euros a month to protect a machine costing several hundred euros.
Your choice of Brita filter depends on:
Check each filter's product page at Cafemalin to confirm compatibility with your machine, or contact our after-sales team for personalised advice (response within 12 hours).
Replacement frequency depends on 3 factors:
In practice: 1 to 3 months for typical household use. Many modern espresso machines have a built-in automatic filter replacement indicator — a handy feature. If yours does not, write the replacement date on the cartridge with a marker pen.
Yes. Brita offers a complete range for Ho.Re.Ca. and professional machines:
The professional Brita range is distributed mainly through professional machine installers (Nuova Simonelli, Faema, Bezzera, La Marzocco after-sales services…). At Cafemalin, our selection focuses mainly on espresso machines for homes and small offices.
No — this is an important clarification. Brita filters do not replace municipal drinking water treatment. They improve specific aspects of tap water that is already safe to drink:
For making espresso coffee, Brita filtration is more than sufficient: it removes chlorine (which spoils the taste) and reduces limescale (which damages the machine). This is exactly the use it is optimised for.
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